Two bingo hall operators were fined yesterday for breaching anti-smoking laws. One of them told the court it was almost impossible to get some people to go outside to smoke, and some would almost assault you if you tried to make them smoke outside the hall.
Mr Anthony McMahon, manager of the National Stadium in South Circular Road, and the Gala Leisure Centre Ltd, Ballyfermot Road, both Dublin, denied failing to take reasonable steps to ensure patrons complied with smoking prohibitions under Section 2 of the 1988 Tobacco (Health Promotions and Protection) Act. They were the first convictions under this law, and each was fined €300 and ordered to pay €500 court costs.
Environmental health officer Ms Marie McCaffrey told the Dublin District Court that following complaints from patrons, she carried out inspections on bingo nights at both premises. She found up to 20 people at a time smoking, and no serious efforts being made to stop it.
In the National Stadium, on her first visit, there were a number of people smoking in the hall and on the balconies, and a "high level" of smoke was visible.
During the interval, the situation was brought to Mr McMahon's attention. A letter was sent informing him of his legal obligations.
On a second visit, on November 26th last, little had changed, although Mr McMahon said a member of staff was designated to ask people to put out cigarettes.
Mr McMahon told the court he did his best to comply. No smoking signs were posted, announcements were made, and doors were left open during the interval to allow people to go outside to smoke.
"Unfortunately, sometimes it's raining and cold, and we actually push them out. I have barred people who have not complied.
"But everything with these people is so difficult. They will actually nearly assault you when you say you have to go outside.
"We don't want to break the law, but some of these people have a lot of personal problems. Sixty per cent of people playing bingo smoke; it's not like the normal 27 per cent (of the population); bingo seems to be higher."
During two visits to the Gala, the inspector found patrons smoking at pre-bingo, during another game known as pongo and during the main bingo session.
Apart from no smoking signs, the only effort to stop people lighting up was an announcement during the interval.
Ms Siobhan Kearney, whose co-manages the Gala for her father, told the court a person was appointed to "go around" and ask people to put out cigarettes.
Judge Miriam Malone was satisfied that reasonable steps had not been taken to prevent the breaches in both cases.